The air hums with chatter and excitement as children and adults fill the vibrant scene, sampling various foods and engaging in multiple games and rituals that align on the decorated streets and paths. The full moon, illuminated against the dark, black sky, casts its gentle light that leads the joyful crowd and wandering passersby through the festive night.
Lanterns float gently in the air, casting a soft glow as children dance beneath them, their laughter and smiles lighting up the night. Altars are placed throughout the area, where adults offer various items to Hecate. Guards stationed throughout the region, their faces stern as they carefully inspect anyone who seems out of place, a sharp contrast to the joyful and peaceful atmosphere surrounding them.
Emily stood beside Thalia as they walked, both marvelling at the lively festival around them.
"I've never been to a festival before," Thalia beamed with excitement.
Emily chuckled at her enthusiasm, then paused, turning to face Lucas and Eric, who trailed behind them. Their expressions were serious, seemingly uninterested in the festivities.
"Come on, what's with the serious faces?" Emily teased, prompting an eye roll from Eric.
"Yeah, you two look like the guards," Thalia added, pointing to one of the island's guards standing watchfully nearby.
"Technically, we are guards," Lucas reminded them, a grin creeping onto his face.
"The festival is a perfect opportunity for something bad to happen," Eric said, his tone serious.
"Okay..." Emily said, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, I don't have to meet up with the bakery for a while. The King isn't coming out anytime soon."
"Which means," Thalia chimed in with a grin, "we can have some fun for once."
"I thought you were meeting up with your friends?" Eric asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm still meeting up with them," Thalia shrugged, unfazed.
"I saw a cute stand that sells ribbons and bows," Emily said, turning to Thalia with a smile.
"Let's go!" Thalia exclaimed, excitement bubbling in her voice as she walked beside Emily, who led the way.
"Huh?" Eric muttered, looking after them. "Where should we find you later?" he called out anxiously.
"The bakery stands!" Emily shouted back over her shoulder.
"Great," Eric grumbled, his annoyance clear as he stood awkwardly beside Lucas.
"So where should we go?" Lucas asked, trying to break the awkward silence.
"The bakery stands, of course," Eric replied bluntly, still avoiding eye contact.
"We could play some games," Lucas suggested, attempting to shift the mood.
′Emily mentioned he's been feeling lonely. Maybe I can help a bit, even if he doesn't trust me′ Lucas thought to himself.
"We need to meet with the girls," Eric responded calmly, finally making eye contact.
"It's not fair that they have all the fun. We should relax, too," Lucas said with a soft smile.
"Hmm, but the mission," Eric replied quietly, his concern still evident.
"Come on, I saw an archery game. You're good at archery—better than Zack," Lucas said, trying to lighten the mood.
"Fine," Eric said, a small smile beginning to form. "Show me the place."
✨🌙✨
"This one's too thin," Thalia said, inspecting a delicate white ribbon at a small stand painted in pink and white. The stand was filled with ribbons, bows, and various hair accessories, all meticulously arranged, while a young lady attended to the girls with a friendly smile.
"We've bought enough, Thalia," Emily reminded her, holding up a full bag of their purchases with a playful sigh.
"Oh, of course. Silly me," Thalia said with a reluctant grin as she put the ribbon back.
"Thalia!" A voice called out, catching their attention. Emily and Thalia turned to see Alice and Ivor approaching them.
"Hello!" Thalia greeted with a bright smile. "You finally made it."
"Sorry about that," Alice said, sounding slightly annoyed as she cast a glance at Ivor, who was blissfully enjoying a candied apple. "Ivor was busy."
"You must be Thalia's friends," Emily said with a soft smile, catching the attention of Alice and Ivor.
"I'm Thalia's mom," Emily greeted, quickly slipping into her role.
"The Northerners!" Ivor blurted out, stopping mid-bite as realization struck him. Emily stared at him, momentarily shocked.
"For fuck's sake, Ivor," Alice muttered under her breath.
"I'm sorry, ma'am," Alice apologized quickly. "He doesn't think before he speaks," she added, giving Ivor a sharp look.
Emily let out a small laugh, easing the tension. "I'm guessing Thalia must have mentioned me, then."
"Well, I won't keep Thalia for long. Go and have fun," Emily said, turning her attention to Thalia.
"Thanks, Mom," Thalia replied. "I'll meet you at the bakery stand later."
"Bakery stand?" Ivor asked with a smile, pausing his candy apple once more.
"You're welcome to come," Emily offered. "I work at a bakery, so I can give you some pastries if you'd like."
"Of course. Thank you, ma'am," Alice said gratefully.
"See you later, Thalia's mom," Ivor said with a grin as he followed the two girls.
Emily watched them leave with a smile, then sighed softly as she lost sight of them. 'I should head to the bakery stand,' she thought, preparing to make her way through the festival.
✨🌙✨
"You've won again, young man!" an elderly man exclaimed, drawing the attention of several passersby who gathered to watch the scene unfold.
Eric stood proudly, holding a bow and arrow. Lucas stood behind him, offering words of encouragement.
"Just like we practised back in Tauris," Lucas reminded him, his tone encouraging.
Eric grinned at the reminder. With a steady hand, he pulled the bowstring back and released the arrow with confidence. The arrow flew through the air and struck the red target on the tree with a satisfying thud, perfectly hitting the bullseye once more.
The crowd erupted into applause, their claps echoing with amazement. Even the nearby guards watched with wide eyes, clearly impressed by Eric's archery skills.
"That was easy," Eric said with a confident grin, winking at a lady in the crowd who blushed and looked away shyly.
Lucas chuckled, observing the scene with a mix of amusement and pride. 'My best-trained guard,' he thought, admiring Eric's skill and the crowd's reaction.
Walking up to Eric to get his attention, Lucas said, "Come on, let's grab a prize." He gestured toward the elderly man, who was waving at them with a smile, signalling their time to collect their reward.
Eric approached with a smile, and Lucas followed closely. "So, what's the prize?" Eric asked.
"A gift voucher!" the elderly man exclaimed with enthusiasm.
Eric and Lucas exchanged confused looks. "A voucher?" Lucas repeated, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, a gift voucher," the elderly man said awkwardly, sensing their disappointment.
Eric raised an eyebrow. "I did a perfect, flawless shot for a piece of paper."
The elderly man scratched his head and then said, "Well, you can use this to get some beers."
Eric's expression brightened, and he nudged Lucas. "We haven't had a beer in a while."
Lucas chuckled, nodding. "Anytime we did back in Tauris with the guard, I always leave immediately."
Eric grinned. "Looks like this might be the perfect opportunity then."
The elderly man smiled, handing them the voucher with a nod. "Enjoy it, young man!"
As Eric and Lucas took the voucher, their earlier disappointment turned into excitement, and they set off to find a place to redeem it.
✨🌙✨
"Two beers, please," Lucas said to the bartender.
Lucas and Eric were seated inside a quiet tavern, illuminated by the soft glow of candles and lanterns. The space was nearly empty, offering a tranquil contrast to the lively festival just beyond the windows. The distant sounds of music and laughter from the celebration outside drifted into the tavern, adding a faint, cheerful undertone to the otherwise peaceful ambience inside.
"This was fun," Eric said, looking down at the table with a thoughtful expression.
"I'm glad you think so," Lucas replied, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
Eric glanced at Lucas; his brows furrowed slightly. "What made you convince me to have fun? It's not like you to push for this. You never really tried to interact with me before... after, you know."
Lucas met Eric's gaze; his tone was soft. "Emily mentioned you were feeling lonely, so I thought I could help you."
Eric stared at him, wide-eyed, before letting out a frustrated grunt. "Great, my sister is telling my business to her lover."
Lucas's face flushed, and he nervously gripped his beer. "I… I'm not her lover."
Eric raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at his lips as he watched Lucas fidget with his drink and his hair. "With the way you two act, I wouldn't think so."
Lucas chuckled softly. "We need to act the part of our roles as husband and wife. It's all part of the mission."
"I guess it's a good thing," Eric said, his tone contemplative. "Back in Tauris, you were always reluctant to talk to her, even though you asked about her a lot."
Lucas nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "I did have a lot of questions about her."
Eric leaned back in his chair, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Zack and I were actually planning to set you two up."
"Really?" Lucas asked, curiosity piqued. "How so?"
"It didn't work. You were too much of a chicken," Eric shrugged, smirking at the memory.
"Well, we're close now," Lucas muttered, more to himself than to Eric.
"I'm interested in how that happened, in detail," Eric said, then paused as he contemplated something. "On second thought… I don't think I want to know what you two do behind closed doors," he added, scrunching up his face in disgust.
Lucas stared at him, trying to make sense of Eric's words. When the implication hit him, his face turned crimson. "N-No! Nothing like that has happened yet," he exclaimed, flustered.
"Yet?" Eric teased, raising an eyebrow with a mischievous grin.
Lucas quickly shut his mouth, deciding it was safer not to say anything more. He took a large gulp of his beer, trying to regain his composure.
After a moment, Lucas spoke again, this time with a more serious tone. "Do you trust me now, Eric?"
Eric hesitated, his gaze shifting away as he avoided eye contact. "It's… complicated," he finally admitted. "I know it's not your fault, but it's hard to shake off everything that's happened."
✨🌙✨
Emily stood before a small bakery stands beside a quaint cottage, her eyes lingering on the scene. As she approached the cottage door, her gaze was drawn to an elaborate wagon parked in front of it. The wagon, lavishly adorned with trinkets and fine fabrics, was hitched to two elegant horses guided by two imposing guards.
"Is the king here already?" Emily murmured to herself, feeling a flutter of nerves.
Just as she was about to knock, the door swung open, revealing Aaron, the charismatic owner of Sunflower Bakery. He greeted her with his usual warmth, his smile wide and welcoming.
"Emily, come in," Aaron said, stepping aside to allow her entrance. His presence was reassuring, and Emily felt a sense of comfort as she crossed the familiar cottage.
As she walked in, her eyes immediately fell on the table laden with her baked goods. The delightful aroma of fresh pastries filled the air, bringing a small, satisfied smile to her lips.
"Who's this?"
The unfamiliar voice broke through her thoughts, and Emily's gaze snapped toward the speaker. Standing beside Aaron was an imposing young man dressed in garments that exuded wealth and importance. His eyes were fixed on her, scanning her from head to toe with an air of curiosity.
"This is Emily," Aaron introduced her with a broad smile. "The baker who prepared the pastries for the King."
Emily felt a sudden wave of self-consciousness wash over her as the young man's gaze lingered. She stood still, intimidated by his intense scrutiny, her confidence faltering under his watchful eyes.
"And Emily," Aaron continued, stepping closer to her as if sensing her unease, "this is the King's advisor."
The title hit her like a jolt, and she forced herself to straighten up, trying to regain her composure.
"It's good to meet you, sir," Emily greeted politely, offering a courteous smile.
"Good to meet you, Emily," the advisor replied, his tone measured and formal.
Aaron, with a loud sigh, began to outline the arrangements. "We'll set the baked goods on the stage for the King. We have a few..." He trailed off, flipping through a small book, intent on his plans.
But Emily barely registered his words. Her attention was drawn to the advisor, who continued to watch her with an intensity that made her feel exposed. His gaze met hers, and she tried to maintain her polite smile, though she could feel the weight of his scrutiny.
"All that won't be necessary," the advisor interjected, cutting Aaron off abruptly. His voice was firm, leaving no room for discussion.
"What?" Aaron said, blinking in surprise.
"Emily will deliver the goods to the King herself," the advisor continued, a smile playing on his lips as he looked at Emily.
Emily stood frozen, wide-eyed at his comment. Her mind raced. On one hand, this was an incredible opportunity—it would put her directly in front of the King, giving her a chance to gather valuable intel. But on the other hand, something about this sudden change felt off, stirring an uneasy feeling deep in her gut.
"Is there a problem?" the advisor asked, noticing her hesitation.
"No, sir. Just surprised by the sudden change of plans," Emily said, trying to steady herself, keeping her tone calm and composed.
"Yes," Aaron quickly added, nodding in agreement. "We have servers who have been trained and are appropriately dressed to deliver the goods," he explained, his concern evident in his voice.
The advisor, however, remained unfazed. "We should appreciate these fine bakers for a job well done," he said, his gaze still fixed on Emily. "The King will thank her himself for these pastries."
Aaron sighed quietly, barely audible. "Great. Now, I have to send all those workers away," he muttered under his breath, frustration evident in his tone.
"So, when should she deliver these goods? Does she need a different dress?" Aaron asked, trying to regain control of the situation.
The advisor shook his head. "We will send in more wagons to carry the goods soon. Emily will accompany me to meet the King," he informed them. "I'll be back shortly—I have some things to take care of first."
As the King's advisor moved toward the door, he paused and glanced back at Emily. "Wait here, Miss," he instructed before stepping outside.
Emily stood there, the weight of the situation sinking in. She was about to meet the King, but something about the sudden change still felt unsettling.
Aaron let out a deep sigh of frustration, his shoulders slumping slightly. With a final, resigned glance at Emily, he turned and walked out the door, his steps heavy and determined. The door swung shut behind him, leaving Emily alone in the cosy yet now tense atmosphere of the cottage.
✨🌙✨
Eric and Lucas stood in front of the bakery, the vibrant festival scene continuing to buzz behind them. They opened the door and found Emily seated at a small table inside, her gaze distant and thoughtful.
Eric, his mood buoyant from his earlier triumph at the festival, sauntered over with a wide grin. "Emily, you should've seen me obliterate that archery game!" he said with a hearty laugh.
However, his laughter trailed off as he noticed Emily's serious expression. "What's wrong?" he asked, concern creeping into his voice.
Lucas, sensing the shift in Emily's demeanour, joined Eric, his worry evident. "Yeah, what happened?"
Emily looked up at them, her unease palpable. "I met the King's advisor, and he kept staring and scanning me. It was unsettling."
Eric's eyes narrowed, his anger flaring. "Staring at you? That pervert!" he snarled, his fists clenching at his sides.
"Emily, what else happened?" Lucas asked, his voice calm but his gaze intense, trying to piece together the situation.
Emily took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "He said I should personally deliver the goods to the King, for him to appreciate my work."
Lucas's brow furrowed in thought. "I don't think he's onto you. It sounds more like you piqued his interest."
Eric's expression softened, though his anger lingered. "You really think that's it? He's just interested?"
Lucas nodded. "It's possible. Sometimes, people in positions of power act unpredictably. He might have been intrigued by you for some reason, not necessarily because he suspects anything."
Emily nodded in understanding, though her face remained serious. Lucas gently placed his hands on her shoulders, trying to ease her worries. "We should still stay on high alert. I doubt the King or his advisor will harm one of his people, but it's best to be cautious."
"This could actually be a great opportunity to gather some valuable intel." Eric chimed in.
Emily straightened her posture, trying to maintain her composure despite the unease she felt. "I'll do my best. This is a great opportunity," she said, trying to convince herself as much as anyone else.
Eric, with a mischievous grin, quipped, "If he stares at you, make sure you give him a really ugly, scary look."
Lucas nodded in agreement, though his discomfort was palpable. He didn't like the idea of Emily being scanned.
The door creaked open, and the King's advisor entered with an imposing air of authority. "Miss Emily, are you ready? The guards are here to escort you to the wagon," he said, his voice smooth and authoritative.
Emily nodded her expression a mixture of apprehension and determination. She started walking toward him, her steps deliberate as she prepared to follow the guards outside.
Lucas's reaction was immediate. His eyes widened in shock, and his face drained of colour. The confusion and horror he felt were evident as he recognized the imposing man in front of him. His usually composed demeanour crumbled, replaced by a look of raw distress. His eyes, once steady, now shimmered with unshed tears, betraying the turmoil inside him. His breath came in shallow, uneven gasps, and he seemed to shrink into himself, struggling to maintain his composure.
Emily glanced back, noticing Lucas's profound reaction. Her concern deepened. "Lucas?" She called out to him but got no response.
The advisor's sharp gaze flicked momentarily towards Lucas, a fleeting expression of recognition or perhaps disdain crossing his face before he turned his attention back to Emily. "Shall we?" he prompted, his tone carrying a subtle edge of impatience
As Emily followed the guards and the advisor out, Lucas remained frozen, his face a mask of disbelief. The door closed as Emily left the room leaving Lucas and Eric alone.
Eric, observing the scene with growing concern, moved closer to Lucas. He placed a steadying hand on Lucas's shoulder, offering silent support as he tried to make sense of the situation. "Are you okay?" he asked quietly, his voice filled with genuine worry.
Lucas took a shuddering breath, his voice barely above a whisper. "Trevon?"
"Who's Trevon?" Eric asked, his confusion evident. "Do you know him?"
Lucas's distress was obvious, his face betraying a depth of emotion he struggled to control. He shook his head slightly, trying to regain his composure. Eric, recognizing the intensity of Lucas's reaction, decided to redirect the conversation. "Right now, we need to stay sharp and keep Emily safe," he said firmly.
Lucas took a deep breath, his resolve hardening despite the emotional turmoil. "Yes, you're right," he said, his voice steadier now.
"We need to find Thalia," Lucas continued, taking charge once more. "The King is probably going to start a speech soon."
✨🌙✨
I stepped into the wagon, glancing around as the King's advisor followed and took a seat directly opposite me. As the wagon began to move steadily, I tried to peek out through the curtains, eager to see where we were heading. However, the advisor's hand gently but firmly prevented me from pulling the curtain aside.
"I'm sorry, Miss," he said, his tone smooth and reassuring. "For your safety, I can't allow people to see you in a castle wagon."
I nodded, understanding his concern. "Oh, I see. Thank you for letting me know."
Suddenly, the advisor shifted the conversation. "So, Lucas," he began, his voice neutral yet probing.
My eyes widened in surprise at the mention of Lucas. I turned to him; my curiosity piqued. "What about him?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
His gaze remained fixed on me, his expression calm but inquisitive. "Who is he? You seemed to have some familiarity with him."
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "He's, my husband."
As I spoke, my eyes widened in shock when the esteemed and elegant advisor scoffed, rolling his eyes with visible irritation. "Is something wrong?" I asked, my curiosity mingling with a rising unease.
"You have children with IT, right?" Trevon's question came out of nowhere, his tone edged with something I couldn't quite place.
"It?" I said, my voice sharpening with anger. "Lucas is not an 'it.'"
"I'm not answering any questions," I said firmly, turning away and crossing my arms and legs dramatically, trying to hide my growing discomfort.
The advisor seemed to find my reaction amusing. He let out a low chuckle, his smile widening. "Love is blind, I suppose. Lucas is a coward, dear."
My anger flared at his insult. "Who are you to speak about him like that?" I demanded, my voice trembling with fury.
"My name is Trevon," he replied coolly. "I'm an advisor to the king and his right-hand man."
I stood still, my gaze softening as I looked at him in contemplation. "Trevon? Lucas's childhood friend?" I asked, trying to make sense of the situation.
Trevon's expression grew sharp. "So, he spoke of me," he said, his tone edged with something unspoken.
"Not much," I replied, trying to maintain a calm demeanour.
"That explains his reaction now," I said aloud, glancing at Trevon as I processed the revelation. "I didn't realize it was that serious."
"He really misses—"
"That's enough," Trevon interrupted abruptly, his tone brooking no argument. He cut me off with a firm gesture as if sensing exactly what I was about to say. His expression hardened slightly, and the air between us grew tense.
✨🌙✨
Soon enough, the wagon came to a halt, and two guards opened the curtain, waiting for us to disembark. Trevon stepped down first, extending his hand towards me. I hesitated briefly before taking his hand, allowing him to help me down from the wagon. My gaze quickly shifted to the line of strong, intimidating guards standing in front of the grand castle, their serious expressions only adding to the imposing atmosphere.
"I thought we were meeting the king," I asked, suspicion lacing my tone.
"He's at the festival," Trevon replied.
He led me toward the castle gate, passing by the line of stern-faced guards. As we approached, a young, elegant lady stood waiting with a warm smile.
"So, this is the baker?" she remarked to Trevon, who responded with a nod.
"My name is Lucinda," she introduced herself, stepping forward to hug me unexpectedly.
I froze, caught off guard by her bubbling energy and strange behaviour. Why the sudden hug? My eyes darted to Trevon, catching him giving Lucinda a sharp, annoyed look before quickly masking it with indifference.
As she released me, her lips curled into a cunning grin that sent a chill down my spine. I furrowed my brows in confusion, but before I could react, a strange heaviness settled in my head. I instinctively pressed my fingers to my temples, trying to ease the sudden pressure, but it only intensified. My vision blurred, and tears welled up in my eyes, obscuring everything around me.
The world began to spin, tilting and swaying around me. I felt someone grasp my hand, and I struggled to focus on the figure looming above me, trying to make out their face through the haze.
"Lucinda, we weren't supposed to do that!" Trevon snarled, his voice laced with irritation and anger, as he held me gently.
"Do you honestly think she would agree with us willingly?" Lucinda retorted, her tone cold and calculating. "This is much easier."
I tried to pull away, but my body was betraying me, growing weaker by the second. The dizziness was overwhelming, and the last thing I saw before everything faded was Lucinda and Trevon arguing.
✨🌙✨
Thalia and her friends stood in front of a stand; their bags clutched tightly as they watched Ivor select his prize.
"I want that one," Ivor said, pointing to a rabbit plush on the far right.
The young man behind the stand retrieved the plush with a grin and handed it to Ivor.
With a warm smile, Ivor turned to Alice. "For the lady," he said, offering her the plush. Alice rolled her eyes but accepted the gift with a bemused smile.
'Well, this is awkward. If only Elena was here,′ Thalia thought, feeling a pang of disappointment at her friend's absence.
Alice broke the silence. "We should probably head to the festival meeting point to catch the King's speech."
Thalia's eyes widened at her friend's comment, and she wailed loudly, "I forgot to meet up with my family! I lost track of time!"
"Damn, Thalia, that's loud," Ivor said, covering his ears in disdain.
"I'm sorry," Thalia said, trying to calm down. "I guess I should head to the bakery stands to find them."
As she considered her options, a voice called out, "Thalia!"
Turning toward the sound, Thalia saw Lucas walking up to her, with Eric trailing behind.
"Hm, this is my dad," Thalia said, introducing Lucas to her friends. Her friends' eyes widened in surprise as they took in the sight of him.
"Hello, sir," Alice said quietly, sensing the tension from Lucas's furrowed brows. She could tell that Thalia might be in trouble.
Lucas nodded in acknowledgement, his gaze softening slightly as he looked at Thalia. "We need to speak alone." He said urgently
Thalia sensed the troubling tone in Lucas's voice and nodded slowly. "I have to go. See you guys at school," she said eagerly, not waiting for a response before walking off with Lucas and Eric.
"Goodbye, I guess," Ivor said, watching Thalia leave. "She's in trouble," he added cheekily.
Alice nodded; her gaze fixed on her friend's retreating form. "Strange," she muttered to herself, her mind racing with thoughts and concerns about Thalia's situation.
✨🌙✨
"Emily was taken to the King?" Thalia exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Lucas, Eric, and Thalia stood inside the cosy bakery cottage, the distant sounds of the festival still drifting in from outside.
"But the King is giving a speech at the festival right now," Thalia said, her voice tinged with confusion.
"He is," Eric muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
Just then, the door swung open, and Aaron stepped in, accompanied by a guard. Aaron's expression was fraught with anxiety.
"I'm guessing you're here for Emily?" Aaron asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"Yes, we're about to head back home," Lucas replied, his tone steady as he cast a sidelong glance at the guard.
"I have a letter for you, from Trevon the advisor," the guard said, holding out an envelope. "Are you connected to Miss Emily?"
"Yes, I'm her partner," Lucas answered, reaching for the letter.
The guard handed the envelope to Lucas, who stared at it with a mixture of apprehension and dread. Without another word, the guard turned and left the cottage, closing the door behind him with a soft click.
"The letter is probably about Emily," Eric said, watching Lucas as he opened it.
Lucas unfolded the letter and began to read. His face shifted through expressions of shock, confusion, and a trace of sadness.
"What does it say?" Thalia asked, noticing Lucas's troubled expression.
"Emily is going to be staying at the Castle from now on," Lucas replied, his voice hollow as he continued to stare at the letter.
"What?!" Eric exclaimed. "They've basically kidnapped her!"
Aaron sighed heavily and took a seat in one of the chairs, observing the unfolding drama.
"Did the letter say why they took her?" Thalia asked, her face clouded with concern.
"She is needed by the King. They didn't specify further," Lucas answered, letting out a weary sigh.
"I think it's because she's a Northerner," Aaron said, drawing the attention of everyone.
"She's probably the only Northerner in the castle," Thalia agreed.
"That's likely true," Aaron said. "But her mana is stronger and brighter than any other Northerners have seen."
"My mom's mana is strong, but I thought that was normal for Northerners," Thalia remarked, her voice filled with curiosity.
"I'm guessing you've never met a Northerner," Aaron said, noting Thalia's slow nod.
"The advisor is a Westerner and he can read people's manas as well. That's why he was staring at her intently," Aaron clarified.
"I still don't think that's a justified reason to take her away," Eric said sharply, his frustration evident.
Lucas stood silently; the weight of the letter heavy in his hands. His usually sharp features were softened by a deep sadness. His shoulders slumped, and his eyes, once fierce and determined, were now clouded with a mix of disbelief and sorrow. The edges of his mouth turned down slightly, and he seemed lost in his own thoughts, struggling to process the news.
"Let's get home," Lucas said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. The sadness in his tone made Eric and Thalia exchange concerned glances.
"I'll get you the money by tomorrow," Aaron said, observing Lucas's despondent demeanour as he quietly made his way to the door.
'Poor lad, his wife was just taken away from him,' Aaron thought to himself, feeling a pang of sympathy.
✨🌙✨
Eric and Thalia followed Lucas, their expressions reflecting their concern as they trailed behind him, their footsteps echoing the weight of the moment.
"This is worrisome, but it's also a significant opportunity for Emily," Eric said quietly to Thalia. "If we can complete this mission, we might be able to return to the North sooner."
"I agree," Thalia replied, her gaze fixed on Lucas's dejected form. She watched him closely, her concern deepening as she took in the full extent of his sorrow.